Motorcycle lover Ron McKinley moved us forward

Published August 9, 2013 at 12:00 pm

Ron McKinley loved motorcycles, and he loved to laugh. He especially loved riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles around the country. He also was a wonderfully effective mentor and advocate for expanding opportunity and justice.

Some of his happiest moments were riding his Harley. But sadly, several weeks ago, McKinley, 64, of St. Paul, died after a motorcycle accident in Washington state.

An Illinois native and St. Olaf graduate, McKinley identified with his Mescalero Apache roots. As his memorial service program explained, “His positions included vice president of the St. Paul Companies Foundation, founding director of the Minnesota Minority Education Partnership, coordinator of American Indian Programs for Macalester College and executive director of the National Network of Grantmakers. He was also active in Native Americans in Philanthropy.”

McKinley also was a board member of many groups, including Mixed Blood Theater Group, Headwater Foundation for Justice, Minneapolis Planning Commission, the Minnesota Council on Foundations and Migizi Communications.

A recent outdoor memorial service gave literally hundreds of people a chance to remember him and remind each other of what we can learn from him. There was enormous racial diversity — American Indian, African American, Asian American, Hispanic and white — among the hundreds of people who attended. McKinley modeled a life of inclusion. With grants, contracts, meetings, workshops and mentoring, he worked with a vast array of people.

An eagle soared over Lake Como, where the service was held. For some of us who attended, that eagle was a reminder of McKinley’s spirit … continuing to inspire.
He took his world seriously, but never himself. He was a wonderful leader, teacher and advocate who helped many directly, and helped many by training others to continue and carry forward his work.

Sometimes, at the end of our conversations, McKinley would say to me, “Keep going, and keep smiling.” Though he experienced some injustice and pushed hard for change, he retained a positive outlook. He laughed easily and often.

He is survived by a wife, two children, a brother and sister.

Part of the memorial ceremony was singing the 1960s hit “Get Together.” That song’s chorus is an apt description of McKinley’s work: “C’mon people, now/ Smile on your brother / Ev’rybody get together / Try to love one another right now.”

Minnesota State Rep. Carlos Mariani of St. Paul recalled how McKinley helped young people, including himself: “He was a mentor, a friend, a guide.” Mariani said at the memorial. “It is a good day. Not because Ron is gone but because he was here and, having been here, he left us with a good legacy of social justice and inclusive opportunity.”

McKinley’s sister, Anita, told hundreds of people at the service, “He loved life and wanted simply to make things better for others.”

Ron McKinley helped move the human race forward. He helped many people learn how to continue that work.

Nathan

Joe Nathan, formerly a Minnesota Public School teacher and administrator, directs the Center for School Change. Reactions are welcome at [email protected]